Container



1, 1965 L. P. LARSON Em; 3,203,614

CONTAINER Original Filed July 18, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Lows 1LARsOA/ f MILTR 6. @502 BY MI ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. P. LARSONETAL CONTAINER Aug. 31, 1965 Original Filed July 18, 1960 Aug. 31, 19651.. P. LARSON ETAL 3,203,614

CQNTAINER Original Filed July 18, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Lou/5p. LAR5ONJ WALTER 0. 650265 Aug. 31, 1965 P. LARSON ETAL CONTAINER 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed July 18, 1960 1965 L. P. LARSON ETAL3,203,614

CONTAINER 6 Sheets$heet 6 Original Filed July 18, 1960 INVENTORS Lou/sP. LARSON WALTER BY ,4 -/l ATT RNEY QN 6t United States Patent 3,203,614CONTAINER Louis P. Larson, Glendale, and Walter C. George, St. Louis,M0,, assignors to Riegel Paper "Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of Delaware Original application July 18, 1960, "Ser. No.43,525, new Patent No. 3,082,583. Divided and this application Dec. 31,1962, Ser. No. 248,628

11 Claims. (Cl. 229-17) The present invention is a division of copendingapplication Serial No. 43,525, filed July 18, 1960, now United StatesPatent No. 3,082,583 and relates in general to paperboard containers ofsuch type, tor example as are utilized for the packaging of dairyproducts, particularly milk and cream.

The paperboard container in accordance with the present invention ischaracterized by its novel construction enabling the container to beeasily opened and wherein the container is of the type which, whenopened, forms its own pouring spout which is :formed by portions of thecontainer proper normally disposed in tolded relationship to thecontainer when the same is sealed.

At the present time, paperboard containers for many products havereplaced heretofore more commonly used containers. For example, milk andcream are largely packaged in paperboard containers in contrast to thebottles previously used almost universally. Such paperboard containersare advantageous as compared with previous containers by virtue of thefact that they are disposable and, theretore, represent no problem asconcerns returning the containers, sterilizing them and so (forth. Withthe advent of paperboard containers of this type,'the art has steadilyadvanced until at the present time it is common to have paperboardcontainers which are very easily and quickly opened and which torm theirown pouring spout, which spout can be re-folded to close the containerfor storage after having been opened and the contents partially used. Inconnection with the present invention, it is of primary concern toprovide a paperboard container such as is generally outlined above inwhich the means for opening the container forms a novel departure fromprevious containers of this type and, ancillary thereto, the presentinvention is also directed to a novel container blank.

In order to provide the greatest economy in connection with thepackaging and sale of products in which the aforementioned paperboardcontainers are used, it becomes essential and extremely important tominimize as much as is possible the cost of fabricating the paperboardcontainers as well 'as the cost otf erecting these containers andfilling them with the desired product. The present invention is directedto this end also. More particularly, the present invention pertains to apaperboard container which is characterized by the elimination of thenecessity for providing expensive water proofing. For example, thepresent invention contemplates the use of an ordinary Kraft paper forthe body of the container in which the inner surface of the container iscoated with a synthetic resin film which at once forms the means torrendering the container fluid tight and which also forms the means bywhich the container is sealed and secured when erected.

The present container and the construction thereof allows for stackingthe containers one upon the other. The unique type of pouring spout andconstruction of the dispensing end of the container as well as thebottom of the container permits stacking.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the method offabricating blanks tor paperboard containers of the character describedin which the method tacilitates the subsequent steps of erecting andfilling the 3,203,614 Patented Aug. 31, 1965 individual containers. Morespecifically, this objective is achieved by forming the blanks for theindividual con tainers in a series of flat strip t'orms .or which may beultimately disposed in a roll which may subsequently be unrclled,erected, filled and closed in continuous fashion, that is to say, withthe individual containers still connected together in end to-endrelationship with the individual containers being ultimately severed oneirom the other during the terminal steps of the erecting, filling andclosing operations. In this liashion, the erecting, filling and closingsteps are greatly expedited which, of course, represents a materialsaving in cost.

A turther object of this invention resides in the provision of apaperboard container blank characterized by the fact that it is providedwith an edge portion which has associated therewith a line of weakeningso that such edge portion may be bodily removed trom the remainder ofthe blank before the blank has been erected into container torm andsealingly closed to hold the commodity packaged therein.

A still turther object of this invention resides in the provision of anovel container having a top flap assembly which is characterized byhaving a transversely extending spine formed by joined opposite edgeportions of the container blank, which spine is subsequently, during theclosing operation of the container, laid down flat upon the upper end otthe container with laterally projecting flaps cfolded thereover, suchspine constituting the closure tor the corresponding end of thecontainer, and such spine being characterized in that the oplposite edgeportions of the container which are joined together to form such spinehave a portion thereof formed with lines ot weakness so that a portionat least of the spine may be bodily removed (from the remainder of thecontainer and whereupon the container is opened by such removal toliberate one of the infolded flaps which then :Eorms a pouring spoutthrough which the contents of the container may be poured.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel type ofcontainer which incorporates novel opening means in the form of edgeportions of the container which are formed with lines of weakening sothat such edge portion may be bodily removed trom the remainder of thecontainer and thus provide an opening theretfor to gain access to thecontents of the container, and which line of Weakness, for the purposeoteffectively sealing the container, is backed by sealing means which maytake the form either of a separate individual strip of sealing materialor may be incorporated in a double thickness container portion in whichthe interiorly disposed layer of thickness lfOIIllS the sealing meansfor the overlying weakened line portions.

Another object of this invention resides in a novel means for opening apaperboard container in which the openable end of the container hasopposite edge portions thereof joined together to seal the containeracross such end with such joined edge portions, forming a spine ofdouble thickness. and with there being weakened lines running [from thefree longitudinal edge of such spine inwardly thereof in boththicknesses to and beyond the inner line of joining 0t such thicknessesand then along parellel generally to such inner l-inesso that at least aportion of such spine may be torn bodily away to pro vide an openingslit across at least a portion of the stated end of the container, suchweakened line portions having underlying the same, sealing strips whichare releasably joined along the inner line of the spine above the saidlines of weakness.

A further object of this invention lies in the method of forming a rollconstituting a series of end-to-end joined container blanks, each suchblank being of double layer thickness and formed from an initially fiatwide sheet having one side edge portion thereof cut away and severed ina prescribed and predetermined manner and then folded over upon theremaining edge portion to form a double thickness and with there alsobeing in such remaining portion certain lines of severance and weakeningtherein, with the said one side edge portion underlying such lines ofweakening, to ultimately form a sealing backing for such lines ofseverance and weakening whereby when the individual blanks are erectedand closed, they form a liquid tight container Whereas the lines ofweakening and severance provide means whereby the containers are easilyand quickly opened.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved containerassembly characterized by the fact that the blank is backed with asynthetic resin film or sheet such as polyethylene film which serves asa means for heat sealing the container and also as a means for renderingthe same liquid tight.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved containerblank which is characterized by a plurality of rectangular panels in thecentral area thereof and extending between opposite side edges of thecontainer blank with the opposite ends of the blank being formed so asto provide closable ends characterized by their ability to be disposedin coplanar relationship and having end marginal edge portions which maybe sealed together to form the closure for the container, withtriangular flaps of the container end portions projecting laterallyoutwardly to be ultimately folded back upon the top of the container incovering relationship to the sealed marginal edge portions, and whereinpart of the sealed marginal end portions are removable so as to permitopening of the container readily and quickly.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of animproved container construction which is characterized by an upper endconstruction which, in the process of being closed and sealed, presentsflap portions extending from opposite sides of the container and withthere being a sealed edge extending across the container top and acrossthe flaps and with portions of the top and flaps on either side of thesealed portion for a substantial extent thereof being provided withlines of weakening or severance sealed on the underside of the top andflaps by means extending to, but not across, the sealed edge portions ofthe top so that the weakened portion of the container may be removed instrip-like fashion to open the top of the container across substantiallyhalf the extent thereof and along the flap to provide a pouring spout.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of anovel container construction in which the same is pre-formed so as toprovide a novel opening means therefor in which the same lends itselfreadily to economical construction so as to minimize the cost of thecontainer and yet in which the container is entirely adequate for thepurposes intended.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings with the understanding that the invention is not confined to astrict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed ormodified so long as such changes or modifications mark no materialdeparture from the salient features and spirit of the invention asexpressly described hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing the maner in which one form of container blankis formed;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through the assembly shown inFIG. 1 and illustrating the manner in which the sealing layer is appliedto the roll blank;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a single blank constructed in accordance withthis invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the blank illustrated inFIG. 3 and serving to illustrate certain of the features thereof;

FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views of the upper portion of the containerillustrating sequential steps in the closing thereof and the formationof the openable top;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken,generally along the plane of section line 9-9 in FIG. 7, illustratingcertain features of the novel method of opening the container;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the containeris opened;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the container in opened positionand formed into a pouring spout;

FIGS. 12-14 are perspective views illustrating the bottom constructionof the container in various stages of closure;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a modified form of blank assembly of singlethickness construction and illustrating the sealing strip utilized inconjunction therewith;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the blank illustratedin FIG. 15 from the outer side thereof and illustrating the line ofweakening in the blank which permits of the novel opening thereof;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the modified containerconstruction;

FIG. 18 is a View similar to FIG. 9 but taken through the modifiedcontainer construction;

FIG. 19 is a sectional perspective view illustrating one form ofpaperboard construction utilized in conjunction with the containers ofthe present invention;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 but illustrating a modifiedconstruction;

FIG. 21 is a sectional perspective view taken transversely through adouble thickness blank illustrating one form of construction thereofduring the formation of a blank roll; and

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 but illustrating the finishedconstruction of the assembly.

As will be more readily apparent hereinafter, although there are severalways in which the present invention may be accomplished, theaccompanying drawings are directed primarily to two species of containerblanks. One such form of blank is illustrated best in FIGS. 3 and 4 andreference is had to these figures more particularly at this time.

Essentially, the blank shown in FIG. 3 is a double layer blank, that isto say, the container blank is formed with a double thickness ofpaperboard and in the particular instance shown, such double thicknessis achieved by folding over a single sheet upon itself so that thedouble layer is achieved. The blank as shown in FIG. 3 has not as yetbeen doubled over upon itself but is shown for the purpose of clarity inthe unfolded position. Ordinarily, it is contemplated that the foldedover sheet be provided with some adhesive means or the equivalentthereof to secure the contiguous portions together and there is alsoprovided, as hereinafter more clearly set forth, means on the inner sideof such blank for rendering the material fluid tight.

The blank as shown in FIG. 3 consists of a single sheet of paperboardwhich, for example, may be constructed of ordinary Kraft board and whichsheet is indicated generally by the reference character 10. Extendinglongitudinally of the sheet and closely adjacent the center line thereofis a line of perforations 11 or any suitable score line and about whichline the right hand side of the blank indicated generally by thereference character 12 is folded over onto the left hand side of theblank which is indicated by the reference character 13. It is to beunderstood that the right hand side or section 12 of the blank as shownin FIG. 3 and as defined by the weakened line 11 will be folded overalong line 11 onto the section 13 in such a manner that section 13underlies the right hand side 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 22. That is tosay, the inner surface of the right hand section 12 is shown in foldedover position in the lower part of FIG. 1.

Thus, the physical extent of the blank, when in completed form, will besuch that the left hand boundary thereof will be along the edge 14 andthe right hand boundary will be along the edge defined by the line ofperforations 11. This leaves a blank having a series of rectangularpanels 15, 16, 17 and 18, and along one side edge, a glue strip 19, thepurpose of which will be presently apparent. The right hand side 12 isdivided up into a series of generally rectangular panels 28, 21, 22 and23 which are of area similar to the panels 15-18 and it being understoodthat when the blank is in the folded condition, so as to provide thedouble wall thickness blank, the panel 23 will overlie the panel 15, thepanel 22 will overlie the panel 16, the panel 21 will overlie the panel17 and, of course, the panel 20 will overlie the panel 18. Preferably,means, hereinafter more fully described, are provided for adhesivelysecuring the two blank portions together into contiguous face-to-facecontact.

The panels 15-18 and 20-23 might better be designated as main bodypanels. For the most part, these main body panels are provided withupper and lower end panels integral therewith. For example, the mainbody panel 15 is provided with an upper end closure panel 24 and a lowerend closure panel 25, the main body panel 16 is provided with the upperpartial closure and spout forming end panel 26 and a lower end closurepanel 27, the main body panel 17 is provided with an upper closure andspout end panel 28 and a lower closure end panel 29, whereas the mainbody panel 18 is provided with an upper partial closure and spoutforming end panel 30 and a lower closure end panel 31. Likewise, themain body panel 20 which overlies the panel 18 is provided with an upperpartial closure and spout forming end panel 32 and a lower closure endpanel 33, the main body panel 22 being provided with a lower closure endpanel 35, and an upper partial closure and spout forming panel 24, whichis similar to 26, while the panel 21 which lies between the main bodypanels 20 and 22 is provided only with an upper end closure and spoutforming panel 36, similar to 28, and the end main body panel 23 whichoverlies the main body panel 15, has neither an upper nor a lower endclosure panel, substantially as is shown. The purpose for the omissionof certain of the end panels will be more apparent hereinafter.

The upper closure and/or spout forming end panels 24, 26, 28, 39, 32, 34and 36 are defined beyond a fold or score line 40 in the outer sideportion of the blank and beyond the line of perforation 41 in the innerside of the blank. Likewise, the lower end panels in the outer sideportion of the blank are defined below the score line 42 or below thelines of perforation 43 and 44 in the inner side portion of the blank.

To divide the blank into the series of main body panels and end panels,there are provided score lines or lines of perforation, as the case maybe. For example, the main body panel 15 is bounded on opposite sidesthereof by a longitudinally extending score line 50 on one side, alongitudinally extending score line 51 on the opposite side and by theupper and lower score lines 48 and 42 at its ends. The panel 16 isbounded on its opposite sides by the score line 51 and by a furtherlongitudinally extending score line 52. In similar fashion, a furtherscore line 53 is provided in the left hand side 13 of the blank andlines of perforation 54, 55 and 56 are provided in the right hand side12 of the blank. It will be understood that, although the overlyingportion 12 of the blank is shown as being provided with lines ofperforation rather than merely score lines, the same may as well beprovided with score lines rather than lines of perforation which extendcompletely therethrough. However, since the blank is ultimately -to befolded into a generally rectangular configuration, by providing lines ofperforation in the overlying portion 12 of the blank, the foldingoperations are made easier since these lines of perforation extendsubstantially through the material of the blank and hence make it easierto fold along these lines. Or for that matter, it is perfectly possiblethat any combination of score lines and perforations may be utilized,since it is normally contemplated that the exposed inner side of theblank be provided with some means for rendering it fluid tight, and,indeed, the outer side may also be provided with such sealing means.Therefore, in most instances it will be immaterial whether perforationsare used throughout or only in part or whether score lines are usedthroughout or only in part.

It will be understood that the edge 60 of the main body panel 23 willlie along the score line 50 when the blank is in the flat foldedcondition, leaving the glue strip 19 free. This constitutes what iscommonly termed a manufacturers joint inasmuch as when the container iserected, as described more fully hereinafter, the glue strip 19 willoverlie and lap over a portion of the main body panel 18 along the edgethereof defined by the score lines 11 and any suitable adhesive or othersecuring means being provided to obtain securement at this point and toform thereby the so-called manufacturers joint.

Certain of the upper and lower end closure and/or spout forming panelsare provided with score lines or perforations whose function will bepresently apparent. The panel 24 is provided with a pair of such scorelines designated by the reference characters 62 and 63 which originateat the corners 64 and 65 of this panel 24 and converge upwardlytherefrom to meet at a point along the longitudinal center line thereofas at 66 to divide the panel into a triangular panel portion 67 and tworight triangular portions 68 and 69. The base of the triangular portion67 lies along the score line 40 and is bounded on opposite sides thereofby the score lines 62 and 63, whereas the hypotenuse of the righttriangular portion 68 is defined by the score line 62 and the oppositelegs thereof by portions of the score line 50 and a further score line70 which extends along the top marginal edge portion of the outerside 13of the blank. Such score line 70 lies along an extension of the upperedge 71 of the overlying blank section 12, as is clearly shown.Likewise, the lower end of the outer side portion 13 of the blank isprovided with a transverse score line 72.

The right triangular portion 69 has its hypotenuse formed by the scoreline 63 and its opposite legs by portions of the score line 51 and thescore line 70. Extending from the point 66 outwardly to the free edge 73of the blank is a short score line 74 and a similar score line 75 isprovided in the region of the end panel 28, the purpose of these scorelines being presently apparent.

The panel 26 is provided with a score line 76 extending from the uppercorner 77 of the main body panel 16 to a point 78 on the score line 70at the longitudinal center line of the body panel 16 to provide in thispanel 26 a right triangular panel portion 79 whose hypotenuse is definedalong the score line 76 and the opposite legs of which are defined alongportions of the score line 70 and the score line 52, substantially as isshown. Extending inwardly from the edge 73 of the blank toward butterminating short of the point 78 is a short line of perforation orweakening 80. This panel 26 is also provided with an upwardly projectingtab 81 which extends from the line of perforation over towards the edgeof the panel but terminating short thereof as along the line 82 and theupper edge 83 of the blank formed between this tab 81 and a similar tab84 provided in the panel 30 is stepped downwardly with respect to theupper edge portion 73. Beyond the tab 84, the upper edge 85 once againlies at a height coincidental with the upper edge 73.

The panel 28 is provided with a pair of upwardly convergent score lines86 and 87 originating at the points 77 and 88 at the respective uppercorners of the main body panel 17 and meet at the point 89 on the scoreline 70 and at the base of the score line 75. Thus, panel 28 is dividedinto the triangular section 90 having its base lying 7 along the scoreline and the two right triangular panel portions 91 and 92.

Thus, the triangular portion 90 has its base along the score line 40 andits opposite legs along the score lines 86 and 87, the right triangularpanel portion 91 has its hypotenuse lying along the score line 86 andits opposite legs along a portion of the score line 52 and a portion ofthe score line with the hypotenuse of the right triangular panel portion92 lying along the score line 87 and its opposite legs along portions ofthe score line 70 and the score line 53.

Panel 30 is provided with a score line 93 originating at the point 88 atone upper corner of the body panel 18 and extending therefrom to thepoint 94 formed at the intersection of the longitudinal center line ofthe panel 18 and the score line 70. Starting at a point 94 and extendingtherefrom to the edge is a line of perforation 95 corresponding to theline of perforation 80.

The score line 93 forms the hypotenuse of a right triangular panelportion 96, the opposite legs of which lie along portions of the scorelines 53 and 70.

The upper panel 32 is provided with a score line or perforation 98dividing this end panel into the trapezoidal portion 99 and the righttriangular portion 101. Similarly, the panel 36 is provided with scorelines or perforations 102 and 103 dividing such panel into thetriangular portion 104 and the right triangular portions 105 and 106.The panel 34 is provided with the score line 107, substantially asshown. The score line 98 originates at the point 109 at one upper edgeof the body panel 20 and extends to the upper edge 71 to a pointcoincidental with the longitudinal center line of the panel 20. Thescore line 102 originates at the point 109 and meets the score line 103at the edge 71 coincidental with the longitudinal center line of panel21 with the origin of the score line 103 being the upper corner 110 ofthe body panel 21. This point 110 also is the origin for the score line107 which extends to the edge 71 at a point coincidental with thelongitudinal center line of the panel 22.

The lower end closure panel 25 is provided with a pair of downwardlyconvergent score lines 111 and 112 originating respectively from thelower corners 113 and 114 of the main body panel 15 and meeting togetherat the score line 72 at the point 115 coincidental with the longitudinalcenter line of the main body panel 15. From this point 115 to the loweredge 116 of the outer side portion 13 of the blank is a short score line117 similar to the score line 74.

The end panel 29 is provided with a pair of score lines 118 and 119originating at the lower corners 120 and 121 of the main body panel 17and converging downwardly therefrom to meet at a point 122 on the scoreline 72 coincidental with the longitudinal center line of the main bodypanel 17 and from this point 122 to the lower edge 116 is another shortscore line 123 corresponding to the score line 75.

When the overlying section 12 is folded over onto and in face-to-facecontact with the outer section 13, it will be appreciated that the scoreline 98 of the end panel 32 will overlie and extend along the score line93 in the end panel 30, the score lines 102 and 103 in the end panel 36will respectively overlie the score lines 87 and 86 of the end panel 28and the score line 107 in the end panel 34 will overlie the score line76 in the end panel 26. Because the body panel 23 is not provided withan end panel, being cut away along the lines 124 and 125, the end panel24 will have no overlying portion.

At the bottom the end panel 33 overlies the end panel 31 and the endpanel 35 overlies the end panel 27. The cutaway portions 126 and 127 inthe overlying section 12 extend over the end panels 29 and 25,respectively. It will be noted also that at the top the marginal edgeportion lying beyond the score line 70 is beyond the upper edge 71 ofthe overlying section 12 and, likewise, the marginal edge portion at thelower end of the blank which lies beyond the score line 72 is beyond theedges 128 and 129 of the end panels 33 and 35, which edges 128 and 129constitute the lowermost extremity of the overlying section 12. Thus,the upper and lower marginal edge portions formed beyond the score lines70 and 72, respectively, are free and unobstructed on their inner sides.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 4, it will be seen that extendingbetween the tabs 81 and 84 the blank is formed with a line of severanceor weakening which includes a slit 130 in the right triangular panelportion '7 9 extending from the point 131 on the score line 76 to apoint 132 on the longitudinal score line 52, this slit being generallyparallel to the score line 70 and spaced closely thereto so as to leavea narrow strip 133 therebetween. The right triangular panel portion 91is likewise provided with a slit 134 which extends from a point 135spaced somewhat from the point 132 and which extends therefrom to apoint 136 on the score line 86. Between the two points 132 and 135,there is preferably provided a coaxial line of perforations or weakenedlines 137, the line of perforation 137 and the slit 134 cooperating toform an extension of the slit 130 and to provide a strip 138 between thescore line 70 and the line of perforation 137 and the slit 134. Acrossthe apical portion of the triangular panel portion 90 from the point 136to point 140 which is directly opposite thereto but which lies on thescore line 87 is a line of perforation 141 leaving the small triangulartip portion 142 which is bounded on two sides by the score lines 86 and87 or the uppermost portions thereof and along its base by the line ofperforation 141. The line of weakening continues from the point 140 tothe point 143 spaced from the score line 53 by the provision of a slit144 and from this point 143 to the score line 53 is a line ofperforation or weakness 145, the slit 144 and line of perforation 145providing the narrow strip 146 between them and the score line 70. Fromthe point of intersection 147 between the line of weakening and thescore line 53 to an opposite point 148 on the score line 93 is a furtherslit 149 generally parallel to the score line 70 and presenting thenarrow strip 150 in the region of the right triangular portion 96.

As hereinafter set forth, this line of perforation or weakening forms ameans by which the erected and closed container may be very easilyopened. It will be noted that the two lines of perforation 80 and 95extend inwardly from the respective free edge portions 73 and 85 butterminate just short of the score line 70 and then the lines ofweakening re-commence at the points 131 and 148 so that there is a gapbetween the lines of perforation 80 and 95 and the opposite ends of thehorizontally extending portions of the lines of weakening.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIG. 5, the assembly asshown therein represents an upper portion of a container which has beenerected but not closed.

' The first step in closing the container is shown in FIG. 6,

this being effected by folding the upper marginal edge of the erectedblank as shown in FIG. 5 into an upstanding single plane with the foldlines lying along the score line portions 74 and 75 so that such uppermarginal edge portion including the tips 81 and 84 form an upwardlyprojecting spine indicated generally by the reference character 151. Thetwo end panel portions 26 and 30 and their corresponding underlyingportions 34 and 32, respectively, are folded inwardly toward each otherto lie in a common horizontal plane. Also lying in a common horizontalplane with such portions 26 and 30 are the right triangular panelportions 68, 69, 91 and 92. Underlying the right triangular portions 68and 69 is the triangular portion 67 and underlying the right triangularportions 91 and 92 is the triangular portion 90, these severaltriangular portions at this point constituting flaps which projectlaterally outwardly from the opposite sides of the container. Next, thespine 151 is folded flat as in FIG. 7 and then the laterally projectingflap portions are folded fiat onto the top of the container, as isbetter illustrated in FIGS. 7

and 8. The portions 62 and 63' of the score lines 50 and 51,respectively, (see FIG. 6) overlie a portion of the score line 40 andthe laterally extending flap formed by the right triangular portions 68and 69 and the underlying portion 67 is folded over about these scorelines, that is about the score line 40 and the score lines 62 and 63, ofcourse, after the spine 151 has been folded flat upon the top of thecontainer. The portions 87 and 86' of score lines 53 and 52 overlieanother portion of the score line 40 when the flap comprised of theright triangular portions 91 and 92 and the underlying triangularportion 90 projects laterally outwardly as shown in FIG. 7 and this flapis folded about these several score lines into the ultimate positionshown in FIG. 8. Thus, when the container is fully closed as shown inFIG. 8, the triangular portion 67 is exposed on one side of thecontainer and the triangular portion 90 is exposed on the opposite sideof the container, with the apexes of these two triangular portions lyingclosely adjacent each other in the central region of the top of thecontainer. In this position also, it will be noted that the line ofweakening or severance for opening the container has only relativelyshort portions thereof exposed, namely, the line of perforation 95 andthe short line of perforation 141, the remainder of the line ofseverance or weakening underlying the inwardly folded flap portioncomprised of the right triangular portions 91 and 92 which underlie thetriangular portion 90.

In FIG. 19, there is disclosed the paper 160, paperboard or othermaterial from which the containers are fabricated, and the same is fluidproof on both sides as will be noted. The fluid proofing 167 may be apolyethylene film or a coating of polyethylene or any other suitablefluid proofing substance and in this instance the fluid proofing may, ifdesired, be different on the opposite sides 7 of the paper or othermaterial. In FIG. 20, it will be noted the paperboard 160' is coated orhas a fluid proofing film applied on only one side thereof.

In lieu of utilizing the paperboard as hereinbefore or hereinafterdescribed, and such as shown in FIGS. 1922, it is to be kept in mindthat any suitable material which will serve the purpose may be used and,in this connection, it is conceivable that the material utilized wouldnot have to be fluid proofed but have water proof or fluid proofcharacteristics. The material utilized may be coated or impregnated withparaflin or the like.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGS. 21 and 22, one mannerof forming the double thickness container blank is shown. In thespecific embodiment illustrated, the outer blank portion is designatedby the reference character 160 and the inner blank portion is designatedby the reference character 161, see particularly FIG. 21. Initially,when this blank is formed, the inner side of each of the blank portions160 and 161 is provided with a film of polyethylene which is continuousbetween the opposite side edges 162 and 163 of the blank before it isfolded over, such film being designated by the reference character 164.After the. polyethylene film is secured in place and adhesively securedor bonded to the portions 160 and 161, these two portions are foldedtogether as shown along the fold line 165 which corresponds to the foldalong the line 11 in FIG. 3, and the portion of the outer surface layer160 which lies beyond the edge 163 of the inner surface portion 161leaves a it) ene film 167 performs two functions, namely, of providingmeans for securing contacting portions of the container together and forproviding a means for rendering the same fluid tight.

It will be appreciated that the entire inner surface of the blank, afterit has been folded, is covered with this polyethylene film and it is thepresence of this film, being heat bonded, which effects the sealing ofthe spine portion 151 in FIG. 6. Any suitable adhesive or other meansmay be utilized for securing the laterally projecting flaps in flatwisecondition in the top of the container to ultimately effect the closedcontainer construction as is illustrated in FIG. 8.

The blanks previously described may be constructed in dividually suchthat each takes the form and shape shown in FIG. 3, initially, but, ofcourse, the blank just before it is ready for erection and filling andclosing is folded over in the manner described in conjunction with FIGS.21 and 22 and is ready for erection and subsequent filling and closing.

With reference more particularly at this time to FIGS. 12-14, theconstruction of the bottom of the container is illustrated. Thisconstruction is in many respects similar to the top. For example, as isshown in FIG. 12, the initial stage of erection is with the bottomopened as shown and then the marginal edge operation which lies belowthe score line 72 is folded in the manner shown in FIG. 13 to providethe downwardly projecting spine indicated generally by the referencecharacter 170, the fold being effected about the oppositely disposedscore lines 117 and 123. This places the end panel portions 27 and 31 ininwardly folded condition in a common plane, these end panels, ofcourse, having underlying them the panels 35 and 33, respectively. Thisalso provides laterally projecting flaps comprised of the righttriangular portions 171 and 172 of end panel 29 which right triangularportions are underlying the triangular portion 174, see particularlyFIG. 14. On the other side, the laterally projecting flap is comprisedof the triangular portions 175 and 176 of end panel 25 which underliethe triangular portion 177 of this end panel, see particularly FIG. 14.After the assembly has been folded as shown in FIG. 3, the spine 170 isfolded flat and then the end flaps are folded over and securedadhesivelyor otherwise in the position illustrated in FIG. 14. This completes thebottom closure for the container.

As previously mentioned, the construction of the top of the containerpresents a novel means for opening the container very rapidly andquickly and yet which, at the same time, permits the container to remainin sealed condition effectively throughout its life prior to beingopened. The manner in which the seal is effected in the double thicknesscontainer is illustrated best in FIG. 9. In this 7 figure, it will beapparent that the underlying blank secmarginal edge 166 whichcorresponds to the marginal edge I 19 in FIG. 3 and by means of whichthe aforementioned manufacturers joint is eflected. After the layershave been folded over as shown in FIG. 21, a further sheet 167 ofpolyethylene may be bonded or adhesively secured to the inner side ofthe blank as is shown in FIG. 22 and preferably this sheet 167 extendsbetween the fold line 165 and the free edge portion 162 so as to lapover the edge 163 in the fashion shown. When the manufacturers joint ismade, the polyethylene film 167 is subjected to heat in order to bond itto the outer surface portion 160 which it overlies and thus, it will beapparent that the polyethyltion 12 is sealed throughout the spineportion 151 thereof and the slits and 149 have underlying them the uppermarginal edge portions of the two end panels 34 and 32, respectively. InFIG. 9, the two slits 130 and 149 are illustrated and the upper marginaledge portions 180 and 181 of the panels 32 and 34, respectively, overlapbeneath these slits with the edges of such marginal portions beingdisposed in close adjacency as indicated at the reference character 182.From FIG. 8, it will be readily apparent that a corner of the tab 84 isexposed immediately adjacent the apex of the triangular panel 90 so thata person may grasp this tab and by pulling smartly thereupon, the actionshown almost completed in FIG. 10 is achieved. In FIG. 10, it will beseen that by pulling on the tab 84 as shown, the two layers constitutingthe spine 151 will be torn along the lines of perforation 80 and 95,such tear being indicated by the reference character and then the tearwill continue between the points 78 and 131 and 94 and 148, seeparticularly FIG. 4, such lines of tear being indicated in FIG. 10respectively by the reference characters 191 and 192 and thence theywill extend along the slits 130 and 149, through the lines ofperforation 137 and 145 in the regions 193 and 194, respectively, andcontinue down through the slit portions 134 and 144 until they finallytear across through the line of perforation 141 at the apex of the endflap formed by the right triangular portions 91 and 92 superimposed uponthe triangular portion 90. From a study of FIG. 9, it will be apparentthat as the strip is torn away from the container, such strip beingindicated generally by the reference character 195 in FIG. 10, the stripportions comprised of the strips 133 and 138, see FIG. 4, and the strips150 and 146 Will be torn away from the underlying marginal portions 180and 181 of the inner layer of the blank generally at the interfacebetween such layers. That is to say, the adhesive bond will be broken,exposing such underlying marginal edge portions 180 and 181 in thefashion best shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. At this point, thesignificance of the score lines 76 and 93 will be apparent. These scorelines permit the opened flap portion of the container to be disposed asa pouring spout. That is the portion 196 of the fold line 52 whichseparates the right triangular portions 79 and 91 will permit theseportions to be folded outwardly along this line away from the underlyingtriangular portion 90 and, likewise, the right triangular portions 96and 92 will be permitted to be folded outwardly along the portion 197 ofscore line 53 which separates these two right triangular portions. Thisis clearly illustrated in FIG. 11 and by this means, the container formsits own pouring spout. After the container has been used and With someof the contents still remaining therein, the pouring spout may bemanually folded back down on its back into the original positionsubstantially as is shown in FIG. 8, but, of course, with the strip 195having been removed and thrown away.

With regard to the strip 195, the same is comprised of the two tabs 81and 84 adhered together and the portions of the marginal edge of thecontainer beyond the score line 70 which are between such tabs, beingfolded over along the score line 75 and together with this the strips133, 148, 146 and 150 together with the small triangular piece 142, seeparticularly FIG. 4.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a method offorming double thickness blanks in a continuous or roll fashion isillustrated. In this method, a roll of paperboard indicated by thereference character 200 is suitably mounted on a spindle 201 so that thesheet of material 202 may be issued therefrom. This sheet of material202 is preferably, although not necessarily, provided with certain scorelines and/ or perforations, as desired, which are marked oif inaccordance with the design of the individual blanks. For example, thesheet may be initially provided with the several score lines 203,, 204,205, 206 and 207 formed continuously therealong and also with continouslines of perforation 208, 209 and 210, and also transverse score lines211 and 212, and transverse lines of perforation 213 and 214 and 215.Additionally, the periodic diagonal score lines 216, 217, 218, 219, aswell as the score lines, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225 are provided.The periodic diagonal lines of perforation 226, 227, 228 and 229 arealso provided, all oriented as shown in FIG. 1. The sheet material 202,fed from the roll 200, is ultimately rolled up in the roll 230 mountedon a suitable spindle 231, but, in the interim, certain severing andfolding steps are performed, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. First of all,the sheet 202 is continuously slit along one side edge as indicated bythe reference character 232 and then periodically certain portions arestamped or otherwise cut therefrom, such portions being indicated by thereference character 233. The strip 234 formed by the slitting operation232 joins all of the portions 233 together and not only makes it easy toremove these portions, but also renders it easy to provide a certainamount of lateral tension on the sheet a the slitting and cutting awayoperations are performed. It will be evident that the cut-away portions233 form therebetween one half 235 of the blank,

which half corresponds to the section 12 indicated in FIG. 3 and thenthis half is folded over onto the remaining portion as is shown in thelower portion of FIG. 1, such fold being along the score line or line ofperforation 207 corresponding to 11 in FIG. 3, so that the blanks areformed in the ribbon fashion, linked together by portions lying betweenthe score lines 212 and 236, such region being indicated by thereference character 237. After the portions of the linked togetherblanks are folded on top of each other, a roll 238 of polyethylene sheet239 corresponding to 167 in FIG. 22 is fed onto the inner face of theblank and then the entire assemblage passes through a pair of pinchrolls 240 and 241 mounted on suitable spindles 242 and 243,respectively, which rolls are preferably heated so as to bond thepolyethylene film 239 to the inner side of the blank.

It will be understood that the roll 200 may be formed with apolyethylene film on the face thereof facing the viewer in FIG. 1 sothat the ultimate assemblage after it passes from between the rolls 240and 241 is of the construction illustrated in FIG. 26 or, the innerlayer of polyethylene film may be omitted, that is, the layer 164 inFIG. 22 may be omitted, if desired, or other suitable means may beprovided for rendering the exposed face of the blanks fluid tight sothat at any rate, the roll 230 is constituted of blanks joined togetherand ready for erection, filling and closure.

It will be appreciated also that the score lines and perforations may beformed on the sheet material 202 as it is being unrolled from the roll200 or it may be preformed thereon, as is desired. At any rate, theultimate objective is to obtain a roll 230 of integrally linked blankswhich may be utilized ultimately in the continuous erection and fillingof containers by methods more completely described in copendingapplication Serial No. 43,525, filed July 18, 1960.

Referring to FIG. 15, a modified container blank is illustrated therein.This blank is of single thickness and comprises a generally rectangularsheet of material having a. series of longitudinally extending scorelines 300, 301, 302 and 303 thereon. Spaced inwardly a slight distancefrom the bottom edge 304 is a transverse score line 305 forming amarginal edge portion 306 and a further transverse score line 307 isprovided dividing the lower end of the blank into the end panels 308,309, 310 and 311. The longitudinal score line 303 is disposed closelyadjacent the side edge 312 to form the edge strip 313 for forming themanufacturers joint of the finished container.

In the upper region of the blank, there is a transverse score line 314dividing the blank into a series of upper end panels 315, 316, 317 and318, there being a further transverse score line 319 closely adjacentthe upper edge of the blank, substantially as shown.

The score lines 300, 301, 302 and 303 divide the central region of theblank into the main body panels 320, 321, 322 and 323 which, of course,form the sides of the container when erected.

The blank shown in FIG. 15 displays its inner side to the viewer and itis to be understood that if desired this inner side may be provided with.a polyethylene film for sealing and water proofing purposes. The upperend panel 318 is provided with a pair of upwardly convergent score lines324 and 325 originating respectively at the lower corners 326 and 327and extending therefrom to a point of intersection 328 on the score line319 coincidental with the longitudinal center line of the body panel323, there being a short longitudinally extending score line 329extending from the point 328 to the upper edge of the blank.

Referring now to FIG. 16, it will be seen that the upper end panel 317is provided with a diagonal score line 330 originating at the lowercorner 331 of the main body panel 330 and its opposite legs along thescore line portion 334 of score line 314 and score line portion 335 ofscore line 301. The upper end panel 316 is provided with a pair ofupwardly convergent score lines 336 and 337 dividing such end panel intothe triangular portion 338 and the two right triangular portions 339 and340, substantially as shown, and with such score lines 336 and 337intersecting at the point 341 on the score line 314. A shortlongitudinally extending score line 342 extends from the point 341 tothe upper edge portion 343 of the blank. The end panel 315 is providedwith a diagonal core line 345 originating from the lower corner 346 ofthe body panel 320 at a point coincidental with the score line 337 andextendring upwardly therefrom to the point 347 on the score line 314along the center line of the body panel 320 to provide in the end panel315 the right triangular area 348.

The upper edge of the blank is provided with the two tabs 349 and 350and there is also provided in the area between the tabs a line ofweakening or severance for opening of the container. The initialportions of this line are the lines of perforation 351 and 352 in theupper end panels 317 and 315, respectively, which extend in wardly fromthe upper edge of the blank along one side of the respective tabs 349and 350 to terminate in closely spaced adjacency to the points 332 and347, respectively. The next portions of the line of severance orweakening are the slits 353 and 354 which are spaced inwardly andgenerally parallel from the opposite portions of the score line 314 andwhich form therebetween the strips 355 and 356. Continuing along theline of weakening or severance are the two lines of perforation 357 and358 and cooperating therewith the slits 359 and 360 to present the stripportions 361 and 362 forming continuations respectively of the strips355 and 356. The last portion of the line of severance or weakening isthe short line of perforation 363 which forms the apical triangularportion 364 as shown.

Now, to seal along behind the lines of perforations and slits, aseparate sealing strip 370, see particularly FIGS. 15 and 16, isprovided, which is adhesively or otherwise secured to the inner face ofthe blank and completely overlies the portion of the line of severanceor weakening line between the points 371 and 372 as shown in FIG. 16.

When the container is erected and closed in the manner previouslydescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 8, the sealing strip 370 will befolded back upon itself along a continuation of the score line 342 withthe upper edge portions 373 and 374 sandwiched between the spine uponwhich the tabs 349 and 350 are formed. When the tab and throw-away stripportion is pulled from the container, the portions 373 and 374 of thesealing strip will be exposed substantially as is shown in FIG. 17wherein the erected and filled container is shown in pouring position.

It wll be appreciated that the container in accordance with the presentinvention is formed from a blank which is characterized by having scorelines thereon which facilitate the squeezing together of marginal edgeportions of the blank after it has been formed in tubular fashion sothat the blank will fold down flat and having triangular flap portionsprojecting from opposite sides thereof. For example, referring to FIG.3, the score line 70 at the top of the blank facilitates the formationof the spline 151 as shown in FIG. 6, and the score lines 86 and 87together with the portion of the score line 40 extending between thepoints 77 and 78 permits one of the flaps to naturally form and thescore lines 62 and 63 together with the portion of the score line 40between the points 64 and 65 permits the other flap to naturally form sothat the mere action of squeezing together the upper marginal edge ofthe blank with the score lines 74 and 75 representing the folds, theentire structure will naturally fall into the shape shown in FIG. 6,properly positioning all of the parts. Then when the spine 151 is laiddown flat, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 18, the flaps can be folded 14 overas shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to effect the final construction of thecontainer.

The bottom of the container is similarly constructed, the score line 72forming the marginal edge strip which ultimately permits the formationof the spine shown in FIG. 13.

As previously stated, the score lines 76 and 93, see FIG. 3, do notcooperate in the sealing and closing and final erection steps of thecontainer, but they do cooperate with the other score lines to permitthe pouring spout to naturally result when the container is opened. Thiseffect is shown most clearly in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, it will be clearthat the score lines 76 and 87 and the score lines 93 and 86' cooperateto form the pouring spout.

By providing a line of weakening or severance which is immediatelyadjacent to, but slightly spaced from, the score line 70, the stripportions defined between such line of weakening or severance and suchscore line constitute easily removable portions of the container which,even though the severed portion is backed up by sealing means, either inthe form of an inner layer such as the section 12 of FIG. 3 or the strip370 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 14, or any equivalents thereto, may bereadily torn away from such portions sealingly backing them up so thatthe container is readily and easily opened. The sealing means whichbacks up the line of weakening or severance does not in itself form aclosure so that when these strips are torn away therefrom, the openingwill naturally result.

That is to say, with the double thickness blank, see particularly FIG.9, the sealing portions and 181 merely abut each other at 182 or if theydo not actually abut are disposed in closely spaced relationship andthere is no sealing thereacross so that when the strip portions 133 and150 are removed, the container will be open along the region 182.Similarly, when the strip 370 is used, the overlapping portions 373 and374, thereof, see particularly FIG. 18, are not sealingly joined, butmerely are in contact with each other so that when the container isopened, these overlapping portions 373 and 374 are separated to form theopening in the top of the container as is shown in FIG. 17. It will beappreciated that the line of weakening or severance may be a slit in theentirety of its transversely extending portions since it does notinitially appear as a line of severance at all due to the sealing meansbacking it upand as a matter of fact, it is conceivable, although rathercumbersome, to provide the tear away portion initially as a completelyseparate entity which is joined to the remainder of the blank by thesealing means which backs it up. i v The container blanks of the presentinvention lend themselves to the continuous erection and filling methodsdescribed in copending application Serial No. 43,525, filed July 18,1960. That is to say, the new container blanks of the present inventionmay be formed in an end-to-end relation on a continuous sheet which issubsequently erected to form a continuous rectangular tube. Therectangular tube is then sealingly squeezed together to simultaneouslyform the top and bottom structures of two successive cartons, and milkor some other flowable commodity is poured into the rectangular tubeabove the seal. A subsequent squeezing operation closes the tube andforms a commodity-filled container having an integral dispensingstructure.

7 Thus, it will be understood that the present invention provides acontainer which may be continuously erected and filled, and whichincludes a new and improved dispensing structure. The dispensingstructure is readily openable by a pull tab integral therewith, and theentire dispensing structure itself is integral with the flat topstructure to form a container that is neat in appearance and readilystackable.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific, preferred embodiments, it should be understood that thedisclosure has been made only by way of example and that certain changesin details of construction and arrangement of the elements may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

We claim:

1. A container blank comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular sheet of material having a series oflongitudinal score lines extending between the upper and lower edgesthereof;

(b) first transverse upper and lower score lines at each end of theblank closely adjacent the respective ends thereof defining marginaledge strips thereacross;

(c) second transverse upper and lower score lines parallel to the firstscore lines and defining therewith upper and lower end panel portions atopposite ends of the blank;

(d) said second transverse score lines and said longitudinal score linesdefining therebetween intermediate main body panel portions;

(e) each of said end panel portions being articulated to an associatedmain body panel portion along said second transverse score lines;

(f) upwardly projecting tab portions being disposed along the upper edgeof said blank between adjacent pairs of longitudinal score lines in endpanel portions on either side of one end panel portion;

(g) a first of said upper end panel portions being located betweensecond and third adjacent upper end panel portions and being providedwith upwardly converging score lines extending from the upper corners ofits first associated main body panel portion and intersecting at a pointon the corresponding first transverse score line coincidental with thelongitudinal center line of the first associated main body panelportion;

(h) said adjacent upper end panel portions being provided with diagonalscore lines originating from said upper corners of said first body panelportion and intersecting said first mentioned score lines at pointslying respectively on the center lines of the associated main body panelportions; and

(i) first lines of weakness extending longitudinally from said secondtransverse upper score line to said tab portions and a second line ofweakness extending transversely between said first lines of weakness,whereby the portion of said blank bounded by said first and second linesof weakness including said tab portions may be readily separated fromsaid blank.

2. A one-piece container for flowable materials comprising:

(a) connected together body walls,

(b) a closed planar bottom and a closed planar top including acollapsible dispensing structure,

() the top dispensing structure including a collapsible pouring spout,

(d) the pouring comprising at least four compactly infolded, triangularpanels sealed at the top of the container, and

(e) integral tab means carried by the dispensing structure for graspingand pulling and unsealing the spout structure while at least partiallyerecting said triangular infolded panels to a pouring position.

3. A container for flowable materials comprising:

(a) a body structure having a closed planar bottom structure and aclosed planar top structure;

(b) a pouring spout being compactly arranged and disposed in said topstructure of the container and integral therewith said pouring spoutcomprising at least four compactly infolded, triangular panels sealed atthe top of the container;

(c) integral opening means being carried by and connected with the topstructure along predetermined lines of weakness of the container; and

(d) said opening means being adapted to be grasped, pulled, and removedfrom said structure along said 16 lines of weakness to unseal thepouring spout and simultaneously to erect the same to pouring position.

4. A container for flowable materials comprisings:

(a) a body structure having a closed bottom and a closed top having anintegral pouring spout said pouring spout comprising at least fourcompactly infolded, triangular panels sealed at the top of thecontainer;

(b) a common sealing means sealing the part of the said top structurewhich includes the pouring spout; and

(c) integral opening means being carried by the top structure andconnected thereto by predetermined lines of weakness, said integralopening means being adapted to be grasped, pulled, and removed from saidtop structure along said lines of weakness to rupture the common sealingmeans of the top structure to erect said spout to accommodate thedispensing of the contents therethrough.

5. A container as defined in and by claim 4:

(a) wherein said sealing means is a part of both the top structure andthe spout.

6. A container as defined in and by claim 4:

(a) in which said sealing means includes a preformed but sealed slit.

7. A container for flowable materials comprising:

(a) a body structure;

(b) a closed bottom and a closed top including an integral dispensingpouring spout;

(c) said pouring spout being comprised of first substantiallytriangularly shaped inner and outer panels and being compactly infoldedagainst a similar area on the closed container top to form a firstoverlapped panel structure in which the apex of the triangularly shapedinfolded spout is substantially intermediate the width of the top of thecontainer;

(d) a second overlapped panel structure being formed from infolded andcompactly arranged substantially triangularly shaped Second panels onthe top struc-, ture of the container and having an apex adjacent to theapex of the pouring spout;

(e) a pull tab integral with and extending outwardly from the apexportion of the pouring spout;

(f) lines of weakness defining a readily rupturable seal of the areabeneath the triangular shaped pouring spout panel and extending into theinnermost of the triangularly shaped pouring panels and so associatedwith the pull tab;

(g) whereby outward pulling of said pull tab causes the rupture of saidlines of weakness, the opening of said container top, and the erectionof the pouring spout to accommodate dispensing of the contents of thecontainer.

8. The container as defined in and by claim 7:

(a) wherein sealing means normally seals said area of the top of thecontainer beneath the infolded triangularly shaped pouring spout paneland adjacent said lines of weakness;

(b) whereby pulling of the pull tab ruptures the sealing means.

9. A substantially rectangularly shaped, paperboard container for milk,cream or like liquids, comprising:

(a) connected together body walls,

(b) a closed flat bottom structure and a closed fiat top structurehaving an integral triangularly infolded collapsible dispensingstructure,

(0) the dispensing structure of the container forming a collapsiblepouring spout when erected,

(d) means normally sealing the top structure to render it and thedispensing structure leakproof, and

(e) integral removable tab means being operatively connected with andremovable from the dispensing structure at predetermined weakened areasthereof to unseal and to erect the same.

10. A container for fiowable material comprising:

(a) a body structure;

(b) a closed bottom and a. closed top including a dispensing spout;

(c) said dispensing spout having substantially triangularly shapedoverlapped panels and with the innermost of these panels having opposededges which are sealed;

(d) the overlapped triangularly shaped panels of the spout being inoverlying relationship to adjacent similar areas of the top structure ofthe container;

(e) the adjacent similar areas of the top structure also having edgeswhich are sealed and the seal thereof extending continuously therefromto the seal of the said innermost overlapped triangular panels of thepouring spout; and

(f) means integral with the spout for grasping and pulling to erect, atleast partially, the pouring spout and unseal the sealed edges of thetop structure of the container and the sealed edges of the overlappedtriangular panels of the pouring spout.

1-1. A container for fiowable materials comprising:

(a) a body structure having a closed bottom and closed top having anintegral pouring spout;

(b) a common sealing means sealing the part of said top structure whichincludes the pouring spout, said sealing means including a preformed butsealed slit;

(c) means for filling said slit comprising a separate element; and

(d) opening means being carried by the top structure and being adaptedto be grasped and pulled to rupture the common sealing means at the topstructure and said separate element to accommodate the dispensing of thecontents through the pouring spout.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,3 3 6,503 12/43Ringlel 22937 2,337,730 12/43 Berch 229-17 2,372,452 3/45 Rohdin 229372,773,634 12/56 Negoro 229-7 2,959,336 11/60 Mosse et al 229-l7 XFRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

3. A CONTAINER FOR FLOWABLE MATERIALS COMPRISING: (A) A BODY STRUCTUREHAVING A CLOSED PLANAR BOTTOM STRUCTURE AND A CLOSED PLANAR TOPSTRUCTURE; (B) A POURING SPOUT BEING COMPACTLY ARRANGED AND DISPOSED INSAID TOP STRUCTURE OF THE CONTAINER AND INTEGRAL THEREWITH SAID POURINGSPOUT COMPRISING AT LEAST FOUR COMPACTLY INFOLDED, TRIANGULAR PANELSSEALED AT THE TOP OF THE CONTAINER; (C) INTEGRAL OPENING MEANS BEINGCARRIED BY AND CONNECTED WITH THE TOP STRUCTURE ALONG PREDETERMINEDLINES OF WEAKNESS OF THE CONTAINER; AND (D) SAID OPENING MEANS BEINGADAPTED TO BE GRAPSED, PULLED, AND REMOVED FROM SAID STRUCTURE ALONGSAID LINES OF WEAKNESS TO UNSEAL THE POURING SPOUT AND SIMULTANEOUSLY TOERECT THE SAME TO POURING POSITION.